Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated a canteen in Vijayawada to mark the launch of the programme. Sixty Anna Canteens were opened in the first phase across the state.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation will run these canteens.

Setting up Anna Canteens, where breakfast, lunch and dinner would be offered at Rs 5 each, was one of the promises the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) made ahead of the 2014 polls.

Mr Naidu said he expected the canteens to function like international fast food chains. “You can benchmark these canteens internationally. KFC or McDonald’s. Quality, environment, cleanliness, hygiene… you name anything, nowhere you will have such perfection,” he had said.

Friday’s incident, however, shows the canteens will have to work some more in the customer service department.